Senate fails to advance bill to end shutdown, now tied for longest ever

Walking to the Senate floor on Monday afternoon, Thune was asked by a reporter if he was “optimistic of the deal to open the government this week” and whether there had been “progress over the weekend.” “I’m optimistic,” Thune said. “Confident?” the reporter asked. “Don’t push it,” Thune replied, laughing. Returning from the floor, Thune

Trump says SNAP benefits won’t be paid until shutdown ends, sparking confusion

Washington — President Trump said Tuesday that federal food benefits provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will go out only when Democrats vote to end the ongoing government shutdown. In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote that SNAP benefits “will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which